In true Irish "green" fashion, Celtic music provided by the Midnight Rose Trio greeted guests as they entered the Mayerson Jewish Community Center of Cincinnati on the eve of St. Patrick's Day.

The evening was filled with music, fine food, a silent auction and more. Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Ed Hartman and Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls paid tribute to the presence the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor have in the Cincinnati community.

The Irish Songs from the Heart evening was to benefit the "Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart" at 1800 Logan St.

"It was a huge success," said Estelle McNair, executive director. "Our guests are our big supporters. Students from Paul Mitchell Academy volunteer twice a month at Haircuts from the Heart. In fact, the students volunteered their help throughout the fundraiser evening - serving and greeting our guests."

After dinner, McGing Irish Dancers performed. The McGing School of Irish Dance has been in existence for 28 years.

"It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank all those who made this benefit a success so as we can continue to give all people dignity by providing professional hair care," said Sister Bonnie Steinlage, salon manager. "And, we also thank all of our sponsors who help support Haircuts from the Heart: St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral, The Centennial Barn, XLC Services, Ameriprise Financial, JW Express, Woody Sander Ford and the Sisters of Charity."

The need of people for services will increase in 2013 and 2014, thus this ministry will continue growing. For more information, contact Ruthy Trusler at 761-9040, ext 132 or rtrusler@sfp-vocations.org.

About Haircuts from the Heart

Haircuts from the Heart opened in 1995 in Over-the-Rhine, where it provides professional hair care to those in need.

The need was so great that soon after opening the salon, the Hair Care Voucher Program was created to provide hair care to children who are poor, as well as to elderly and disabled people in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Vouchers are made available via 140 schools and social service agencies (including homeless shelters) and are given to persons who are seriously financially limited and/or receiving assistance through social service agencies or school free lunch programs.

Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart, through a grant from the Franciscan Foundation, then reimburses the salons/colleges for their hair care services. Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart carries out the SFP's healing mission by enhancing the dignity and self-esteem of poor, homeless or disabled men, women and children by providing them with professional hair care.

As of 2008, FHFH, through the salon program and voucher program, had served 27,551 persons of whom an estimated 10,410 were homeless men and women, and the rest were primarily school children and disabled persons. By 2012, Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart had considerably increased that number.

From January 2012 to July 2012, Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart provided 1,473 hair-care services to people living in poverty. As of December 2012, the Franciscan Daymaker Salon provided 2,191 hair-care services to poor and needy adults, 97 children and 264 elderly clients who were new to the program. They also provided hair care to 210 mentally or physically disabled persons who were referred to the salon program.

As of the end of July, through the voucher program, they were able to provide another 130 people with hair care. We accomplished all this through the donation of 1,876 volunteer hours.

In 2012, it planned and presented the first "Spa Day for Kids" to teach girls hygiene and personal grooming, and collaborated with the Star Fire a program for developmentally delayed adults to teach young women grooming and personal care.

Franciscan Haircuts from the Heart began hosting an open house at the Salon the first Monday of each month, beginning in October, and celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Centennial Barn.

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Irish Songs from the Heart benefits Haircuts from the Heart

In true Irish 'green' fashion, Celtic music provided by the Midnight Rose Trio greeted guests as they entered the Mayerson Jewish Community Center of Cincinnati on the eve of St. Patrick's Day.